East Coast Wonders

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East Coast Wonders

from £2,550 excluding flights

  • 17 nights
  • Year round

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Highlights

In pictures
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Stay in a treehouse stay in the less-visited Atherton Tablelands

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Search for wildlife including kangaroos, whales and native birds

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Overnight on Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island

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Visit Port Douglas and journey into the lush Daintree rainforest

Cruising in Whitsundays, Queensland

Take an overnight cruise in the stunning Whitsunday Islands

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Stroll through cosmopolitan Brisbane enjoying this sub-tropical city

Why this trip...

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Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

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Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

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Well-researched route

We've put our years of experience into creating this well-paced itinerary that includes the places we know you'll enjoy

Overview

Uncover some of Queensland's premier coastal attractions on this epic East Coast self drive journey from Brisbane to Port Douglas. Travelling independently by car offers the flexibility to stop as you please in a region that allows many reasons to do so.

This comprehensive tour features many of Queensland's beautiful beaches and national parks. Wildlife is in abundance from the smallest kangaroo to turtles, dolphins, whales and birdlife. There is also plenty of opportunity for walking and hiking but also time to relax and enjoy this amazing adventure.

With overnight stays on Fraser Island and onboard a yacht in the Whitsundays included, this itinerary combines the freedom of the open road with the logistics taken care of.

 

Itinerary

The itinerary shown is an example of this self-drive holiday. We have many other route recommendations which can be tailored to your requirements. Please discuss with our Travel Specialists who can put together a bespoke itinerary for you.

Day 1 arrive Brisbane

On arrival in Brisbane you will be transferred to your hotel for a two night stay. The rest of your day is free to relax and unwind in this uncomplicated, laid-back and fun-loving city.

On arrival in Brisbane you will be transferred to your hotel for a two night stay. The rest of your day is free to relax and unwind in this uncomplicated, laid-back and fun-loving city.

Day 2 Brisbane

Spend the day at leisure exploring this sub-tropical city at your own pace. You may like to walk through the botanic gardens and dine alfresco along Eagle Street Pier or walk the 107 steps at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. For the more adventurous traveller why not consider climbing the Story Bridge and then abseiling down the side! Be sure to experience the festival buzz of South Bank, with markets, bars, restaurants, live performances and Australia's only inner-city beach.

Spend the day at leisure exploring this sub-tropical city at your own pace. You may like to walk through the botanic gardens and dine alfresco along Eagle Street Pier or walk the 107 steps at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. For the more adventurous traveller why not consider climbing the Story Bridge and then abseiling down the side! Be sure to experience the festival buzz of South Bank, with markets, bars, restaurants, live performances and Australia's only inner-city beach.

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Day 3 Brisbane - Noosa (145 kms)

Collect your rental vehicle and set off on your drive to Noosa via the Bruce Highway. Noosa Heads has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, coupled with the natural beauty of the area.

Collect your rental vehicle and set off on your drive to Noosa via the Bruce Highway. Noosa Heads has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, coupled with the natural beauty of the area.

Day 4 Noosa

Spend the day at leisure exploring the national park. There are several walks meandering through the park to the various attractions of Boiling Pot, Hell's Gates and Paradise Cave, to name a few. In town there are boutiques, first class restaurants and plenty of local entertainment.

Spend the day at leisure exploring the national park. There are several walks meandering through the park to the various attractions of Boiling Pot, Hell's Gates and Paradise Cave, to name a few. In town there are boutiques, first class restaurants and plenty of local entertainment.

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Day 5 Noosa - Hervey Bay (187 kms)

Departing Noosa travel to Hervey Bay, which is full of history, beauty and attractions centred round sheltered waters and some 14 kilometres of golden beaches.

Departing Noosa travel to Hervey Bay, which is full of history, beauty and attractions centred round sheltered waters and some 14 kilometres of golden beaches.

Day 6 Hervey Bay

Spend a full day explore at leisure. Hervey Bay offers a colourful concentration of lifestyles and its waters are home to turtles, dolphins and dugongs. For those travelling between late July and November you may like to add on a whale watching excursion for the opportunity to see humpback whales.

Spend a full day explore at leisure. Hervey Bay offers a colourful concentration of lifestyles and its waters are home to turtles, dolphins and dugongs. For those travelling between late July and November you may like to add on a whale watching excursion for the opportunity to see humpback whales.

Day 7 Hervey Bay - Fraser Island

In the morning you will be met at your hotel and transferred to Fraser Island for your 2-day guided experience. Fraser Island is a unique part of the Fraser Coast region and its unusual formation of sand and rainforest make it a special source of adventure for visitors to explore. Tour highlights include Lake McKenzie, the sandy highway of Seventy-Five Mile Beach, Maheno Shipwreck, Indian Head and The Champagne Pools.

In the morning you will be met at your hotel and transferred to Fraser Island for your 2-day guided experience. Fraser Island is a unique part of the Fraser Coast region and its unusual formation of sand and rainforest make it a special source of adventure for visitors to explore. Tour highlights include Lake McKenzie, the sandy highway of Seventy-Five Mile Beach, Maheno Shipwreck, Indian Head and The Champagne Pools.

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Day 8 Fraser Island - Hervey Bay

Continue sightseeing on Fraser Island and return to Hervey Bay in the afternoon. The rest of your day is at leisure.

Continue sightseeing on Fraser Island and return to Hervey Bay in the afternoon. The rest of your day is at leisure.

Day 9 Hervey Bay - Yeppoon (433 kms)

Journey north through Gin Gin and the scenic beachside Town of 1770, named after the year it was discovered by Captain Cook. Travel through Rockhampton to the charming tropical village of Yeppoon, gateway to the Capricorn Coast and Byfield National Park. Here you can birdwatch, bushwalk through rainforest and fish from the beach.

Journey north through Gin Gin and the scenic beachside Town of 1770, named after the year it was discovered by Captain Cook. Travel through Rockhampton to the charming tropical village of Yeppoon, gateway to the Capricorn Coast and Byfield National Park. Here you can birdwatch, bushwalk through rainforest and fish from the beach.

Day 10 Yeppoon - Airlie Beach (500 kms)

Continue north along the coast to Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. There are activities aplenty in this marine paradise including snorkelling, sailing, diving and scenic flights.

Continue north along the coast to Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. There are activities aplenty in this marine paradise including snorkelling, sailing, diving and scenic flights.

Day 11 Cruise around the Whitsunday Islands

Departing from Airlie Beach head off on an unforgettable 2-day cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. By day you'll enjoy all the wonderful activities on offer including snorkelling, swimming, semi-sub rides, viewing fish from the underwater observatory and sunbathing on deck. Diving (for beginners and certified divers), massage and helicopter flights are also on offer (at an additional cost). By evening soak up the unique solitude and tranquillity of the reef and watch as the underwater world comes to life as the sun starts to sink lower on the horizon.

Departing from Airlie Beach head off on an unforgettable 2-day cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. By day you'll enjoy all the wonderful activities on offer including snorkelling, swimming, semi-sub rides, viewing fish from the underwater observatory and sunbathing on deck. Diving (for beginners and certified divers), massage and helicopter flights are also on offer (at an additional cost). By evening soak up the unique solitude and tranquillity of the reef and watch as the underwater world comes to life as the sun starts to sink lower on the horizon.

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Day 12 Whitsunday Islands - Airlie Beach

Start the day with a hearty breakfast. You'll have the morning to enjoy all the activities of the previous day so dive right back in and explore. Return back to Abel Point Marina for another overnight stay at Airlie Beach.

Start the day with a hearty breakfast. You'll have the morning to enjoy all the activities of the previous day so dive right back in and explore. Return back to Abel Point Marina for another overnight stay at Airlie Beach.

Day 13 Airlie Beach - Townsville (275 kms)

Continue north through mango orchards and green fields of sugar cane to Townsville. Wander the scenic beach promenade, soak up the balmy nightlife and take a catamaran to the beaches and palm trees of tiny Magnetic Island.

Continue north through mango orchards and green fields of sugar cane to Townsville. Wander the scenic beach promenade, soak up the balmy nightlife and take a catamaran to the beaches and palm trees of tiny Magnetic Island.

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Day 14 Townsville - Atherton Tablelands (356 kms)

Depart Townsville and set off on the drive to the Atherton Tablelands. Atherton is the 'capital' of the Tropical Tablelands, a land of beautiful lakes, rich red soil, tropical rainforest and waterfalls, including the famous Millaa Millaa Falls. Here the temperature is cooler, the pace is slower and there is a feeling of relaxation in the air. Enjoy a two night stay in unique treehouse accommodation overlooking tropical rainforest.

Depart Townsville and set off on the drive to the Atherton Tablelands. Atherton is the 'capital' of the Tropical Tablelands, a land of beautiful lakes, rich red soil, tropical rainforest and waterfalls, including the famous Millaa Millaa Falls. Here the temperature is cooler, the pace is slower and there is a feeling of relaxation in the air. Enjoy a two night stay in unique treehouse accommodation overlooking tropical rainforest.

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Day 15 Atherton Tablelands

Enjoy time exploring this fascinating region. Tour the 'undiscovered' Atherton Tablelands, birdwatch for over 160 bird species, walk one of the many walking tracks or discover the wildlife, from the colourful parrots and platypus to the smallest kangaroo.

Enjoy time exploring this fascinating region. Tour the 'undiscovered' Atherton Tablelands, birdwatch for over 160 bird species, walk one of the many walking tracks or discover the wildlife, from the colourful parrots and platypus to the smallest kangaroo.

Day 16 Atherton Tablelands - Port Douglas (136 kms)

Travel to Port Douglas where two World Heritage listed sites meet - the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Home to golden beaches and some of tropical North Queensland's most exclusive resorts, the quiet former fishing village of Port Douglas is both sophisticated and relaxed and the perfect place to escape and unwind.

Travel to Port Douglas where two World Heritage listed sites meet - the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Home to golden beaches and some of tropical North Queensland's most exclusive resorts, the quiet former fishing village of Port Douglas is both sophisticated and relaxed and the perfect place to escape and unwind.

Day 17 Port Douglas

Today you may wish to enjoy more marine adventures at the Great Barrier reef - cruise out to go snorkelling or diving, or enjoy aerial views from a scenic helicpoter flight. Alternatively you may prefer to head into the UNESCO World Heritage site of Daintree National Park, a unique habitat where the coral reef meets the rainforest. Mossman Gorge, one of the most visited spots in the Daintree Rainforest, is located just a 20 minute drive north of Port Douglas. Further north lie the pristine beaches of Cape Tribulation and the historic settlement Cooktown.

Today you may wish to enjoy more marine adventures at the Great Barrier reef - cruise out to go snorkelling or diving, or enjoy aerial views from a scenic helicpoter flight. Alternatively you may prefer to head into the UNESCO World Heritage site of Daintree National Park, a unique habitat where the coral reef meets the rainforest. Mossman Gorge, one of the most visited spots in the Daintree Rainforest, is located just a 20 minute drive north of Port Douglas. Further north lie the pristine beaches of Cape Tribulation and the historic settlement Cooktown.

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Day 18 Port Douglas - Cairns

Your epic East Coast tour comes to an end as you drive from Port Douglas to Cairns to return your rental vehicle.

Your epic East Coast tour comes to an end as you drive from Port Douglas to Cairns to return your rental vehicle.

Accommodation Options

We have selected accommodation specifically suited to this holiday in a range of mix of mid range and superior hotels and B&Bs as referenced in the itinerary. However, we can adapt to suit your personal preference mixing different grades and styles.

Discuss your options with our Travel Specialists.

Excursions

Prices and Departures

Price from £2,550 excluding flights

Airfares start from around £730 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom including 2 nights in a treehouse
  • 9 breakfasts, 2 morning teas, 4 lunches, 2 afternoon teas & 2 dinners
  • Car rental throughout
  • Private transfer on arrival in Brisbane
  • Fraser Island Explorer Tour (overnight)
  • Overnight Cruise on the Whitsundays
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

This itinerary starts from £2,550 per person, based on 2 sharing a room in standard accommodation, and vehicle rental with GPS.

Prices may vary depending on departure date, or should you prefer alternative categories of accommodation or vehicle size. Please contact us for a detailed quote based on your preferred travel dates, vehicle category and style of accommodation, or to tailor this itinerary.

Meet our expert

nordic team doug kington bw
One of our specialists
Meet Doug

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